Canon 44

1. The Roman Pontiff obtains full and supreme power in the

Church by means of legitimate election accepted by him together

with episcopal consecration; therefore, one who is already a

bishop obtains this same power from the moment he accepts his

election to the pontificate, but if the one elected lacks the

episcopal character, he is to be ordained a bishop immediately.

2. If it should happen that the Roman Pontiff resigns his office (munus), it is required for validity that he makes the resignation freely and that it be duly manifested, but not that it

be accepted by anyone.